New West Roxbury shop Local 338 Bagels & Coffee scores a hole in one

Julie M. Cohen jcohen@wickedlocal.com

Wednesday

Nov 1, 2017 at 7:00 AM

As first-time customer Hanna Rue recently finished her seven-grain bagel with butter during her visit to West Roxbury’s new bagel shop, she proclaimed it a “delightful, crispy, chewy (piece of) happiness in a little, round piece of dough.”

The Dorchester resident bought her breakfast at Local 338 Bagels & Coffee, located at 1727 Centre St., after a friend recommended the food.

The Metters brothers Jon, of Newton, and Rob, of Chestnut Hill, co-own the eatery and work with brother-in-law Art Valdez, of Newton, and two other fulltime employees. Their bagels are brought in from New York, 90 percent baked and then frozen. Batches of the 10 staple and two changing flavors are then cooked up each day for the growing fan base.

“We already have some regulars,” said Rob Metters with a smile. The eatery officially had a soft opening on Oct. 3.

The name Local 338 refers to the first bagel bakers union in New York that was established in the early 1900s.

“We wanted (the name) to have a connection to New York,” in honor of where the bagels are made, he said.

Jon Metters said they are still tweaking the number of bagels they make each day and learning as they go, since on occasion they have sold out of certain flavors.

“It’s unpredictable,” said Jon Metters in regard to what kind is most popular after plain. Rob Metters said he likes sesame, Valdez is an everything bagel enthusiast, and Jon Metters likes every flavor.

Stefanie Mitchell of Roslindale recently sat at one of the comfortable tables working on her computer with her friend Dana Delaunay of Dedham.

Eating a whole wheat bagel with bacon scallion cream cheese, Mitchell said she comes in “at least once a week since it opened.”

Delaunay, who was there for her first time and munching on an onion bagel with plain cream cheese, said, “I’ll probably stop by more often.”

Business plan

The Metters brothers praised West Roxbury Main Streets and neighboring businesses for their help and advice while they were establishing themselves.

They chose to open in West Roxbury after looking at many locations and determining a dearth of bagels in the area.

“This is what’s been missing,” said Rob Metters. The shop is down the street from the E5 police station, and they’ve already had many officers as customers, grabbing a cup of Joe before their shifts.

Jon Metters said he and his brother had wanted to go into business together for some time, and after examining several ideas, decided to try their hand at bagel making. They had not had prior experience as bakers but wanted to make their dreams of owning their own establishment come true.

Although the bagels are brought in from New York, Local 338 staff members make their own spreads and sandwiches. Jon Metters said they will eventually offer gluten-free choices, start catering events and possibly open longer hours.

Above all they want to “give (customers) great food and great service,” said Jon Metters.

They also want “everyone to feel genuinely welcome,” said Rob Metters.

Local 338 Bagels & Coffee is located at 1727 Centre St., in West Roxbury. For more information, visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Local-338-Bagels-Coffee-849476355211720/.